Italian researchers discover melanoma suppressor

(ANSA) - Naples, August 22 - Researchers at the Pascale Institute in Naples have discovered that a miRNA class molecule plays an important role in the progression of malignant melanoma, it emerged on Monday.
    The scientists led by Gennaro Ciliberto and Paolo Ascierto have shown that miR-579-3p acts as a tumor suppressor.
    As such, it is present in large quantities in nevi (moles) but expression levels decrease as the melanoma becomes more aggressive and even further in cell lines resistant to BRAF/MEK inhibitors.
    The miR-579-3p molecule controls the production of two important proteins called oncogenes that promote tumor growth. As miR-579-3p levels fall, levels of the oncogenes increase. However, if the molecule is administered to the tumor cells from outside the levels of the oncogenes decrease and the cells start to die. In addition, the administration of miR-579-3p together with BRAF/MEK inhibitors prevents the formation of drug-resistant cells. "These results lead to the possibility of using miR-579-3p as a drug to improve current therapies," Ciliberto said. "Further, it will be possible to measure miR blood levels as a new biomarker for early prediction of the evolution of the disease and the development of resistance to therapies," he added.